The Dallas Cowboys already boasted one of the NFL's best offensive lines before it signed LSU standout La'El Collins as an undrafted free agent this year. Collins was a first round talent but like many young players the Cowboys wanted to ease him into the NFL. However, Ronald Leary's absence from the starting lineup has forced Collins into first-string duty and it will be interesting to see if he is able to keep a hold on to the gig.
ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer thinks it's a topic worth exploring further.
"I wonder if the Cowboys will put Ronald Leary back in the starting lineup over rookie La'El Collins," Archer wrote. "Leary has missed the past two games because of a groin injury. He should be back this week, but do the Cowboys go with Collins? [Jason] Garrett does not have a 'starter cannot lose his job due to injury' policy. Collins seemed to fare well against the Atlanta Falcons and might be better in games than he is in practice. To me, Leary is an underrated player. He might not have the upside of Collins, but he can play. If Collins doesn't start, then will the Cowboys dress eight offensive linemen? To do so, they would have to go lighter on gameday at another spot and wide receiver would almost have to be the spot. If they continue with seven offensive linemen, then Zack martin would be the backup center and Mackenzy Bernadeau would be inactive."
Archer has been a vocal Leary supporter in the past, though Pro Football Focus did not think too highly of the guard's performance in 2014. Nevertheless, rookies (even talented ones like Collins) can be a bit of an inconsistent question mark early in their careers, so the logic of reinserting Leary into the starting lineup is there. Regardless of what the Cowboys do this week against the Falcons, it would be surprising if Collins doesn't firmly claim the starting job by season's end.
